The Maloofs previously entertained an offer to sell the Sacramento Kings to a group seeking to relocate the franchise to Las Vegas.

The other two serious offers were from a buyer promising to keep the team in Sacramento and the Hansen-Ballmer group. The only firm offer was from Hansen-Ballmer.

The Vivek Ranadive-led group only came together after a deal was in place with the group from Seattle.

David Stern said he was approached months ago about the Kings by Ranadive, already a minority partner in the Golden State Warriors.

Nevada has never had a major professional sports team, which could present issues for any league to legalized sports gambling.